D&R was established on May 1, 1971, by John DeWit (D) and Yke Reitsma (R). John DeWit and Yke Reitsma were immigrants from the Netherlands and had gained valuable experience working for steel fabricators in Canada before setting up D&R. John DeWit retired in 1982 and was replaced by Harry Oldenhof in 1983 to become Yke’s new partner. In 1984, the company was moved from its old location on Woodbine Avenue in Markham to a new building at its present location in Pickering.